Investigators with Harris County Constable Precinct 5 broke up a long-running organized crime ring consisting of three brothers who had been targeting commercial landscaping companies in West Harris County and other suburban areas around Houston.

After an investigation covering several months, Marcus Yanez, 34, Felix Yanez-Vallejo, 42, and Jesus Yanez, 50, were picked up on arrest warrants Wednesday. All three are facing felony charges of engaging in organized criminal activity.

The Yanez brothers have been targeting commercial landscaping companies since at least 2017. They would steal expensive riding mowers and other equipment in broad daylight as lawn care workers were tending to their duties in their customers backyards. The suspects would load the equipment in their pickup truck, at times stealing entire trailers, and quickly leave the scene.

In multiple cases, the thefts turned into aggravated robberies and assaults as the Yanez brothers turned violent when confronted by citizens who caught them in the act.
Precinct 5 investigators are in the process of linking several other similar crimes in West Houston to this organized crime ring.

All three brotherS have an extensive criminal history in Harris County that includes Bribery, Burglary, DUI, and Theft among other things. They were released on a $2,500 bond. Each requested a court appointed attorney, which was appointed to them.